"The firm remains fully committed to the existing Dorket Head landfill site and is committed to being a good neighbour to the residents who live nearby - as demonstrated by the £500,000 recently invested in the site."

This investment had gone on new site infrastructure and restoring parts of the landfill to safe grassland, it said.

Linda Booth, of the Arnold Against Landfill Campaign, said: "We were very surprised but also delighted by the news - we have been campaigning to stop the extension and we are delighted for the residents."